They rolled so he lay over her and he drove into her. Both cried out at the wonderful feeling.
Linc could not be gentle and Jane urged him to move faster. They rocked together, the bed creaking against their movements.
Thrust after thrust, Linc lost control of his body’s instinct to climb toward the highest peak. He held Jane’s waist, his hips moving nonstop, driving into her. She was as incoherent as he was, her head moving side to side, her hands flailing. And on they continued.
Finally, he heard her cry out, but was lost in darkness, falling from the precipice they’d reached.
Morning came too soon. When Linc rolled over, Jane was already up and about. She’d woken him just a few hours earlier and they’d made love again. Now too drowsy to get up, he stretched, enjoying the feeling of his lover’s bed.
Soon, he’d get up and demand she marry him.
* * * *
Jane peered out the kitchen window. It was bright already. Although chilly, the day would be sunny. Her flowers were bright in the small garden she’d planted and it made her smile. Good times were ahead.
Finally she would be happy. After the pain and hardship of moving so far, she was in love and that made everything worthwhile.
As soon as Linc got up, they’d discuss their future. He’d already said multiple times they’d marry. Each time she’d either changed the subject or did not respond, things had been too uncertain. But now, everything was better. He’d been found innocent. The mayor himself had heard Nelson’s confession.
It was time to set a date for a wedding and move forward to a life together. Jane planned to teach for at least the year. Hopefully Linc would agree. They could continue to live there in the teacher’s cottage. If he needed to start building their home or whatever, she’d support him. Somehow things would work out perfectly.
Humming, she poured hot water into her cup and prepared tea. Just as she took her first sip, Linc came from the bedroom. He went to the wall near the door and took his jacket.
“Where are you going so early?” Jane went to him, only to stop when he turned. His angry expression caught her off guard and she took a step backward. “Whatever is the matter?”
He looked to the floor unable to meet her gaze it seemed. “It’s best I go. Wouldn’t want someone to see me here. I’m going to my brother’s house. I’ll be living there until I get my own place built. Good bye, Jane.”
Long after the door closed behind him, Jane could only stare at it. “What in the world?”
Her heart sank. Had it happened again? Made a fool of twice, given herself to a man only to be thrown by the wayside?
She walked in a circle, not sure if she should cry or scream in frustration. Just the night before Linc had expressed his love for her. Although not having known him long enough, it was enough to know he was not a liar.
Her heart caught in her throat at a thought and she rushed into the bedroom. In the center of her pillow was the letter she’d written to Clarence. “Oh no.”
Jane tore it to pieces and moved around the room mechanically pinning her hair up while processing what happened. Linc must have seen the letter and read it. In it she stated her plans to return to Virginia and marry Clarence. She’d forgotten all about it and not destroyed it. What a ninny. Now Linc was hurt, thinking her to have played with his emotions.
She grabbed her shawl and dashed out to find Maddie and Emerson.
Across the street at the hotel stood Clarence. Her steps faltered and Jane froze not sure what to do. Very well couldn’t ignore him as he’d find out soon enough where she lived. The letter had just arrived, how could he have arrived so soon?
Just as she stepped off the walkway, he spotted her and waved. There was a suitcase next to him, which meant he’d just arrived. Jane could only marvel at how different this encounter would be if it had happened months earlier. Now all she felt at seeing him was curiosity. The heartbreak that had been the main reason for her coming so far was gone.
Her feelings for Linc not only filled her heart, but had healed it as well. “Hello Clarence. I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.”
When he pulled her into an embrace, she pushed back at his chest. “You are probably exhausted after your travel. Let’s go inside so you can get a room. The food is very good.”
He assessed her and nodded. “You look different. Just as lovely, but something about you takes my breath away. I am a fool to chance losing you.”
“I am different.” She walked into the dim entrance when he held the door open for her. “Many things have changed.”
It was hard to talk about her feelings during their shared meal. Her nerves were shot by the end of it as Clarence went on and on about his business and how they should rush back. He assumed she’d fall back into his arms without him having to do more than just show up there. Although she had to admit, it was a long ways to travel, Clarence did not try very hard to convince her, instead taking it for granted she’d return with him.
To be fair, she’d been so enamored with him, if not for Linc, she would have done just that. Returned to Virginia immediately.
They walked out of the hotel at her suggestion.
Linc walked across the street toward them and Jane looked from his handsome angry face to Clarence who watched Linc with interest. “Who is he?” Clarence took her arm. And pulled her closer. “Seems to be angry.”
“He’s…ummm, he’s…”
Linc neared, his darkened gaze moving from her face to where Clarence held her arm. “Your fiancé?”
“No,” Jane snapped.
“Yes.” Clarence looked to her. “I came for you. To marry you.” He looked down his nose at Linc. “And you are?”
“The marshal’s brother.”
Jane frowned. “Linc we need to talk.”
“Of course you will speak to him later. Right now we must discuss our plans.”
“Clarence,” Jane spoke slowly. “Give me a minute to think.”
“There is nothing to think about.”
“I’ll be on my way,” Linc growled and turned.
Jane yanked her arm from Clarence. “I’m going home.”
Clarence moved forward. “Good we can talk there.”
“No. I need to be alone.”
“Jane.” Clarence snapped. “I didn’t travel this far for you to act this way. We will do as I say.”
When Linc rushed the unaware man and they tumbled to the dirt road, Jane gasped and watched with astonishment at the men who within moments were covered in dirt.
Emerson ran across the street and attempted to pull them apart with little success. Rory came from the saloon and tugged Clarence away while he flailed, throwing punches at Linc who Emerson had a hard time holding back.
Finally she’d had enough. Jane lifted her skirts, ran to her house and slammed the door. Both could kill each other for all she cared at the moment.
Linc rode toward Grant’s, although the last place he wanted to be was around anyone today. How was it possible that Jane could have done it?
She planned to leave. Return to Virginia and get married. Pain like he’d never known constricted his chest and he bent forward. His jaw throbbed. The damn dandy had gotten a couple lucky blows in.
What did she see in the man anyway? Money and he had come across the country for her. Women liked that kind of thing he supposed.
He was a free man now. Could go anywhere. He considered Wyoming. Mind made up, he urged his mount forward. “Let’s go Rebel. Our future awaits.”
At the moment he just wanted to spend time with his family. It would be a good thing to rest for a few days. Get some good cooking and decide where to go. Of course he could remain in Rutgers Ridge, it was his home after all. Jane would be leaving soon and moving to wherever the dandy took her. He grunted at the thought.
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Grant stood over him with both hands on his hips. “That is the stupidest idea. You don’t know anyone there.”
�
�Our uncle John lives there.”
Grant huffed. “Haven’t seen him in fifteen years. Don’t even know exactly where he lives.”
“I’ll figure something out.”
Before he could turn away, Grant took his arm. “What happened? I thought you were going to talk to Jane.”
“She’s gonna marry someone else. She’d written a letter to a man, I found it. Then he came. He’s here, came for her from Virginia.”
Grant gave him an incredulous look. “You read her letter? When was it dated? Was it before you met or after? Did you ask her about it?”
He opened his mouth, but Grant stopped him. “No. No you didn’t. If I know you, instead you stalked out barely speaking to her. Your mind already made up to what happened. What about the man? Did she actually tell you she was leaving with him?”
A horse and rider appeared on the horizon. Grant looked over his shoulder. “Here comes Emerson.”
Linc inhaled and let the air out of his lungs slowly. Was it possible he’d jumped to the wrong conclusion? He’d been so upset at reading the letter he’d not bothered to read the date, or even thought to ask Jane about it. But the man’s appearance said it all didn’t it?
His older brother dismounted and allowed his horse into the corral. Grant waited for him to near. “I don’t know if I can handle all this coming and going. I’m sure Julia will be excited about cooking for everyone. She’s gotten good and really enjoys it now. Claims to want to have more company so she can cook more.”
“Came to catch up to Linc.” Emerson looked from Grant to him, the dark brown eyes warming at meeting his. “Are you all right?”
That was Emerson, never jumping to conclusions. Unlike Linc and Grant, he asked questions first, ascertained the situation before doing what he could do to correct it. Which was why he made such a good lawman.
Linc felt like a five year old. “I guess you’re here about the fight.”
“No.” Emerson’s lips curved. “Jane came to speak to her sister. Pretty angry, something about you reading a letter she’d forgotten about. She said both you and Clarence assume to know what she will do. She sent the guy packing. Not sure what she’s going to do to you.”
Now he felt like an idiot.
Emerson continued. “She and Maddie are heading this way. They wanted me to come first and ensure you stayed put. You may be in for a tongue lashing.” He shook his head and smiled. “Wait until she calms down before asking her to marry you.”
“How did…never mind.” Linc looked down at his boots, face flushed.
Minutes later he took Jane’s hand to stop her from jabbing him in the chest again. He fought not to smile. “I’m sorry. I now realize I should have spoken to you. It was wrong of me to read the letter and then to assume just because that idiot showed up, you’d leave with him.”
“Yes you should have talked to me about it instead of leaving in a huff.” She touched his bruised jaw. “All this could have been avoided.”
He took her hand and kissed the knuckles. “Marry me Jane. I love you.”
Her beautiful eyes met his. “There is something very important I have to tell you.”
Now she would refuse to marry him for whatever reason. Linc held his breath.
“I can’t have children.” Her statement brought tears to her eyes and Linc tilted up her face.
“That’s not important to me. I just want you.”
They embraced and he let go to kneel before her. “Marry me, Jane Conner. I love you with all my heart.”
“If you accept me as I am, then I will. Yes.”
* * * *
Emerson Gentry sat very still. Beside him his wife Maddie sniffed and on the other side Julia, Grant’s wife did the same. Grant stood in front of the church beside his youngest brother, who held his beloved’s hand and waited for the preacher to pronounce them husband and wife.
An old miner stood at the back of the chapel with a wide grin holding a bottle of whiskey, which he raised on occasion toward Linc.
Emerson’s lips curved as the memory of a day twenty years earlier, out fishing with the boys, then seven and five, when Linc had fallen in the water, came back to him. As he’d dove into the river praying that God spare his little brother’s life, he’d caught sight of Grant watching. The boy’s face was as calm as could be.
Later he’d asked him why he’d not cried or screamed, Grant had answered, “’cause I know you always take care of us.”
Now his brothers were men and about to form families of their own. Unlike theirs, they’d make good fathers and uncles. They’d take care of the brood that was sure to come and he was grateful for it.
The Gentry brothers had achieved what he’d prayed for all his life. And now it was time to let them go.
His job was done.
Epilogue
Jane attempted to get comfortable. From the chair on the front porch of her new home it was easy to keep track of the children.
Grant and Julia’s son Wade screamed as Linc chased after him making bear noises, while her niece Eleanor scrambled to keep up, her chubby legs still wobbly.
Two years had passed since they’d moved to Rutgers Ridge. A place of new starts, not just for she and Maddie, but for Julia too. They’d married three handsome and loving men, who doted not just on them, but their children as well.
Linc always insisted Lady Luck was with him. Jane allowed his statement, knowing it was God who took care of them and blessed them fully.
Especially now. She held her swaddled newborn son in her arms and looked down at his sleeping face. Her miracle. The baby was half Indian and half white. Left to die alone. It was by happenstance Linc had happened upon the mewling child and brought him home immediately.
Edward Gentry, named after the miner who’d saved Linc’s life, slept soundly.
“One day soon, you’ll be chasing after them too,” she whispered to the baby.
She looked up and saw Linc watch her, the pride in his expression melting her heart.
*The End*
About the Author
Amazon bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves action, love and unusual settings. Author of western historical, Highland historical and contemporary romance, she writes something every reader can enjoy.
Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.
Hildie’s favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.
She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and an unruly boy Chihuahua and a spoiled rotten Chiweenie named Lola.
Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
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InstaGram: @HildieWrites
Gentrys of Montana: Gentrys of Montana Page 21
